The Winnipeg Jets are turning to backup Al Montoya as they look to regroup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Jets starter Ondrej Pavelec has been good of late, but gave up five goals against the Florida Panthers on Thursday, so head coach Claude Noel opted to give Montoya his second start on this six-game road trip and seventh of the season.

“(Montoya) has played good. I thought (Pavelec) was average (against the Panthers),” said Noel. “It’s an opportunity (for Montoya) to play. He was good in here before. That’s just what goes into the decision.”

Montoya is 3-2-1 this season with a 2.42 goals against average and .916 save percentage.

“It's one of those situations where he comes in and we're just as confident in him as we are in (Pavelec)," said Jets defenceman Grant Clitsome. “He talks a lot, he plays the puck a lot. Anytime as a defenceman you have a goalie that talks a lot and plays the puck a lot it makes things a lot easier.”

The Lightning will start backup Anders Lindback, who is 2-5 with a 3.26 goals against average and .876 save percentage in eight games.

This is the final stop on a season-long six-game road trip and the Jets are focused on trying to close out the swing on a high note and finish with a 4-2 record on it.

“It’s kind of been the story of the year right now: we play a couple of games, get a couple of wins and then we have a let up like we did the other night in Florida,” said Jets centre Bryan Little. “If it goes the way it’s gone this year then we’ll have a good game tonight and bounce back. But as far as consistency goes, we have to get better at that.